Simple yet filled with flavors, this delicious French bistro salad is inspired by a classic recipe you would find in a Parisian café. Tender lettuce, ham, eggs, tomatoes and Gruyère tossed in an easy shallot vinaigrette. Serve is with a fresh crunchy baguette! Bon appétit!
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Why You'll love this recipe
- This simple little French bistro salad is so delicious! The kind of salad you would find in a Parisian café. Tender green lettuce, smoky ham, gruyère, hard boiled eggs and tomatoes tossed in a tangy shallot vinaigrette. So flavorful!
- It's so easy to make! Using only a handful of ingredients but hits the mark with the French flavors. If you enjoy easy French food, check out my celery root remoulade, hachis parmentier, soupe au pistou, French cucumber salad, and Vichy carrots.
- This salad is great as a light main meal, side salad or appetizer salad depending on how large you make it.
Key Ingredients and variations
- Lettuce: I used a mix of romaine and butter lettuce, perfect mix of crunchy and tender.
- Hard boiled eggs: they could be soft boiled too if you prefer.
- Ham: traditionally we use cubed ham in France, but sliced ham works perfectly too.
- Gruyère: traditional cheese used on bistro salads, it's part of the Swiss family, very flavorful. You an definitely substitute it for a different cheese of choice.
- Tomatoes: the tangy tomatoes add freshness to the salad.
- Vinaigrette: quick and easy vinaigrette the French way with oil, wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. I added some fresh shallot because I just adore this ingredient in vinaigrette which is commonly used in dressings in some regions of France.
More Salad Recipes
If you love salads with cheese check these out!
Tips
- Hard boiled eggs method: if you don't have an egg cooker, place the eggs in a saucepan with cold water. Bring to a low boil, then cover, remove from heat and let sit for 10-12 minutes. Gently transfer to a bowl filled with ice water, and let cool for a few minutes before peeling.
- Add the vinaigrette right before ready to serve so the lettuce doesn't wilt.
- You can add crunch to the salad by adding walnuts or croutons. Or eat it with some fresh baguette on the side.
- I like to use country Dijon blend in vinaigrette, which is a mix of smooth Dijon and whole grain Dijon. It's so good!
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frequently asked questions
Yes it is, but every version is a little different, specifically depending on what part of the country it's served. This one is pretty much the Parisian way, some regions add black olives, mushrooms, croutons, herbs, walnuts or even red onion. It's usually served with a vinaigrette.
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French Bistro Salad
Equipment
- knife
- bowl
- egg cooker optional
Ingredients
- 2-3 heads romaine lettuce or butter lettuce or both. Well washed and chopped
- 4 hard boiled eggs quartered
- 3-4 slices ham chopped
- 4 ounces Gruyère cubed
- 8-10 cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
For the vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons oil avocado oil or light tasting olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot or more
Instructions
- Prep all the ingredients. Cook the eggs (let them cool, peel and slice), wash and chop the lettuce, chop the ham, tomatoes and Gruyère. Chop the shallot for the dressing.
- Whisk the ingredients for vinaigrette together.
- Assemble the salads in plates, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, dress with the vinaigrette, serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
About Priscilla Lawrence
Hi there, I'm Priscilla Lawrence! Welcome to Sprinkled With Balance where I share elevated and approachable nutrient-rich recipes that aren't overly restrictive, complicated or boring! Based in California but born and raised in France, I'm a mom of two, former certified nutritionist, recipe developer, and food photographer.
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